Age-group qualifying leg set in Aklan

THE penultimate leg of the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE)-National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) 2011 Age-Group Chess Championships unfolds on October 7-9 at the Gov. Corazon L. Cabagnot Training and Cultural Center in Old Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan.

“It is an honor for us to host a prestigious event like this,” said Gov. Carlito S. Marquez of Aklan.

The country’s top young players will battle in the following categories: 17-Under (boys and girls); 14-Under (boys and girls); 11-Under (boys and girls); and 8-Under (boys and girls).

“This is part of our effort to promote chess in the countryside especially among the youth,” said NCFP chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr.

Each player will be given one hour and 15 minutes in the Swiss System tournament supervised by NCFP executive director Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales.

The tournament will serve as a basis for the selection of the Philippine representatives to the 2011 Singapore Youth Chess Festival on December 26-31.

The grand final of the age-group qualifying series is slated on November 4-8 coinciding with the National Inter-Cities and Municipalities Team Championship in Tanauan, Batangas.

Participants may register on site from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on October 7. For inquiries, contact NCFP coordinator for Visayas National Master Wilfredo Neri at 0922-8930866 or visit www.philchessacademy.org.